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North Carolina State Office

State Executive Director

Bob Etheridge

Bob Etheridge

Read Bob Etheridge'

State Office Address

4407 Bland Rd
Suite 175
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 875-4800

Welcome to the North Carolina FSA!

Hello, and a hearty welcome to the North Carolina Farm Service Agency (FSA) website! As a vibrant U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) branch, we're passionately committed to backing our farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers throughout the state. Our guiding mission is simple yet profound: to empower your success through financial aid, technical expertise, and enriching educational resources.

We recognize that farming isn't just a profession; it's a way of life. And we're well aware of the trials and tribulations that come with it. This understanding fuels our dedication to help you steer through the intricate realm of agriculture. Whether you're searching for guidance on crop insurance, seeking assistance for farm loans, or exploring conservation programs, rest assured our seasoned team is ready and eager to support you.

With immense pride, we serve North Carolina's diverse agricultural community. Whether you've been tilling the land for decades or have just sown your first seed, our website is your go-to hub for valuable insights on a wide range of programs, services, and opportunities. We invite you to explore our website, discover more about the FSA, and see how we can nourish your agricultural endeavors. We can't thank you enough for your interest and unwavering dedication to the vibrant tapestry of North Carolina agriculture!


Meet Your FSA State Committee Members

Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders, keeping producers informed about FSA programs and operating in a manner consistent with USDA equal opportunity and civil rights policies.

Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson. The individuals appointed to serve on this committee for North Carolina are:

T. Pender Sharp (Chair) Cynthia Drumwright
John E. Ashe, Jr. Phillip C. Farland
Aaron Martin

County Committees

Like the state committee, each county has a committee comprising local farmers and ranchers. These committees impact the administration of their local FSA office within a community. They help make determinations on programs such as disaster assistance, hiring decisions, and assist with outreach. Board members are elected by their peers (local farmers and landowners) in the fall of every year. Click the link below to find out when your local committee convenes monthly. *Note: As of June 15, NC FSA is accepting nominations for farmers and ranchers to serve on local county committees. All nomination forms for the 2023 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2023.   

View County Committee Meeting Dates

Featured Programs

Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) Discrimination Financial Assistance Program Microloan Programs
NAP pays covered producers of covered noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters (includes native grass for grazing). Eligible producers must have purchased NAP coverage for the current crop year. Producers with NAP coverage must notify the FSA office where their farm records are maintained and complete Part B (the Notice of Loss portion) of form CCC-576, “Notice of Loss and Application for Payment" within 15 calendar days of their loss. USDA announced the opening of the financial assistance application process for eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) directs USDA to provide this assistance. To apply, borrowers have the option to apply via the e-filing portal at 22007apply.gov or submit paper-based forms via mail or in-person delivery to the program’s local offices. The application process will be open from July 7 to October 31, 2023. Microloans are FSA Direct Loans, either Farm Ownership and Operating Loans with a shortened application process and reduced paperwork designed to meet the needs of smaller, non-traditional, and niche-type operations. The maximum loan amount for a Microloan is $50,000. FSA’s Direct Operating loan interest rate applies to Operating Microloans. FSA's Direct Farm Ownership loan interest rate applies to Farm Ownership Microloans. The interest rate charged is always the lower rate in effect at the time of loan approval or loan closing for the type of loan wanted. Interest rates are calculated monthly and are posted on the 1st of each month.


Dates to Remember

*To view a schedule of USDA-observed holidays, visit our State Events tab
Deadline Program or Service
July 10, 2023 Rice Production Program
July 14, 2023 Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase 2 and Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP)
July 15, 2023 Nomination for theFederal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
July 26, 2023  Extended to August 11, 2023 Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
August 1, 2023 Nomination for the Local County Committee
October 31, 2023 Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
October 31, 2023 Discrimination Financial Assistance Program
January 31, 2024 Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program

On the Go? Stay Connected with USDA.

Receive email and text message alerts from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) while on-the-go, in the field, on the tractor or even on horseback. Visit farmers.gov/subscribe.